About the iPhone ESM

If you have bought an iPhone 14 model in the United States, your iPhone will activate with an ESIM card. To activate your ESIM card using the operator’s ESIM services, the rapid transfer of ESIM or another activation method, turn on your iPhone and follow the instructions displayed on the screen.

Use of the double sim with an ESIM card

An ESIM card is a digital SIM card that allows you to use a cell package with your operator without having to use a physical nano-sim card. Find out how to configure and use the double sim. 1

How to use the double sim?

• Use a number for your work and another for your private calls.
• Add a local data package when traveling abroad.
• Use a voice -over and a separate data package.

You can make and receive voice calls and FaceTime, and send and receive messages in the form of SMS and MMS with Imessage with your two phone numbers. 2 Your iPhone can only connect to a single network of mobile data at the same time.

If you want to use 5G with two SIM cards on iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone 12 Pro or iPhone 12 Pro Max, be sure to use iOS 14.5 or a later version.

What you need

• An iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR or subsequent model operating under iOS 12.1 or later
• A mobile operator that offers the ESIM service

If you want to use two different operators, you need to unlock your iPhone. If your phone is locked, you must use two packages from the same operator. If your first SIM card was sent to you by a CDMA operator, your second card will not support this type of network. Contact your operator to find out more.

If you have a professional or business mobile plan, find out with the administrator of your company to find out if this feature is taken care of.

• Configure another cell package on your iPhone
• Use two phone numbers
• Find out more about the state icons of the double sim
• Modify your mobile data number
• Manage mobile data settings
• Delete ESIM

Configure another cell package on your iPhone

All iPhone models that support ESIM cards can be equipped with several ESIM cards and use the double SIM with two SIM active at the same time.

You can use the double sim using a physical sim card and an esim card. IPhone 13 models and subsequent models also support two active esim. IPhone models without physical sim card support two active esim.

Name your packages

Assign a label to each of your two packages once you have activated a second. You can for example name a “professional” and the other “staff”.

These labels will allow you to select the phone number to use to make and receive calls and to send or receive messages, define a limit for mobile data and define the phone number to use for your contacts.

If you change your mind, go to settings, touch cellular network or mobile data, then touch the number corresponding to the package you want to modify the name. Tap label of the cell package and select a new label or enter a personalized label.

Define your default phone number

Choose a number to use when you take a call or send a message to a person who is not recorded in your contact apps. Select the cell plans you want to use for Imessage and FaceTime. You can choose one of the numbers or both.

On this screen, select a default phone number or the number to be used only for cellular data. The other number will then be your default number. If you want your iPhone to use the cellular data of your two packages, depending on the coverage and the availability of the network, activate the option Authorize the permutation of cellular data.

Use two phone numbers for calls, messages and data

Now that two phone numbers are configured on your iPhone, here is how to use them:

Let your iPhone remember the number to use

You don’t have to select the number to use each time you call one of your contacts. Your iPhone uses the number used the last time you called this contact by default. If you have not yet called this contact, your iPhone uses your default number. You can also indicate which number to use with a given contact. Proceed as follows:

1. Touch the contact.
2. Tap favorite cell package.
3. Tap the number to use with this contact.

Make and receive calls

You can make and receive phone calls with your two phone numbers.

If the operator of your other phone number supports Wi-Fi calls, you can answer incoming calls on your other number when a call is in progress. When you are in communication on a line that has not been designated for cellular data, you must activate the Authorize the permutation of cellular data to receive incoming calls on your other line. If you ignore the call and have configured voicemail to your operator, you receive a missed call notification and the call is redirected to your voicemail. Check if your operator supports Wi-Fi calls and your data supplier applies additional costs or cellular data use costs.

If you are in communication and the “no service” message is displayed for your other line, this indicates that your operator does not support Wi-Fi calls or that you have not activated this functionality. 3 This may also mean that the option authorize the permutation of cellular data is not activated. If you are already online, incoming calls on your other phone number are redirected to voicemail, provided that you have configured it to your operator. 4 However, you will not receive a notification for the missed call on your secondary number. The appetite call functionality works for incoming calls on the same phone number. In order not to miss an important call, you can activate the call referral and redirect all calls from one number to the other. Check with your operator if this feature is offered and if additional costs apply.

About the iPhone ESIM

Find out what an ESIM is, how to configure an ESIM on your iPhone and how to transfer a physical SIM card to an ESIM.

What is an esim on iPhone?

An ESIM is a standard digital SIM card allowing you to activate a cell package with your operator without having to use a physical sim card. You can install eight ESIM cards or more on an iPhone and use two phone numbers at the same time.

What you need

• iPhone XS, iPhone XS max or iPhone XR or subsequent model
• Find a mobile operator or a world service provider supporting ESIM
• Your new iPhone must be connected to a Wi-Fi network*.

ESIM on iPhone is not offered in continental China. In Hong Kong and Macao, some iPhone models have an ESIM card. Find out more about the use of the double SIM with two nano-Sim cards in continental China, in Hong Kong and Macao. For people traveling in continental China who wish to use an ESIM to buy prepaid data packages, many world service providers offer this option.

* IPhone 14 models with ESIM card only can be activated without Wi-Fi network.

Configure an esim on iPhone

To configure your ESIM, simply turn on your iPhone and follow the instructions displayed on the screen.

You can activate your ESIM card while you configure your iPhone if your operator supports ESIM services or ESIM data transfer. If the operator offers ESIM services, it will assign an ESIM card to your iPhone when you buy it. The ESIM fast transfer service allows you to transfer the SIM data from your old iPhone to your new iPhone without having to contact the operator. The two methods allow you to activate your ESIM card during the configuration by turning on your iPhone and following the instructions that appear on the screen.

You can also use these options later to add or transfer an ESIM card. If these options are not available, contact your operator to activate your ESIM card using a QR code or its iPhone app.

If you have bought an iPhone 14 model in the United States, your iPhone will activate with an ESIM card. To activate your ESIM card using the operator’s ESIM services, the rapid transfer of ESIM or another activation method, turn on your iPhone and follow the instructions displayed on the screen.

Use ESIM activation by the operator on iPhone

Some world operators and service providers can assign a new ESIM to your iPhone to simplify the configuration. Usually this happens when you buy an iPhone connected by the operator in an Apple store in the United States or from an operator by providing details of your cell package. If an ESIM card has been awarded to your iPhone when purchasing, turn it on and follow the instructions displayed on the screen to activate your ESIM.

If you go to iPhone (from an Android phone, for example), contact your operator to transfer your phone number to your iPhone through the operator activation system or through the scanning of the QR code that has you been provided by your operator.

If you contacted your operator to obtain an ESIM card after configuring your iPhone, and ESIM activation by the operator was configured, follow these steps:

1. Tap the ready to be installed cellular package notification when it is displayed.
2. In the adjustment app, touch a ready to installed cell package.
3. Touch continue at the bottom of the screen.
4. Call your iPhone to check if it is well connected to the cellular network. If you can’t call, contact your operator.
5. If the package you have activated replaces the one on your physical sim card, remove it. Then restart your iPhone.

Use quick ESIM transfer to iPhone

Some operators allow you to transfer the SIM data from your old iPhone to your new iPhone without needing to contact them. You can also convert your current physical sim card into an esim card.

If you do not have access to your current iPhone, contact your operator to transfer your ESIM.

If during the configuration of your iPhone you are asked to transfer your SIM, follow the instructions that are displayed on the screen to transfer your data from your physical SIM card to an ESIM. If you need to transfer more than one sim to your new iPhone, transfer your other SIMs following the steps below.

Transfer the SIM physical card or ESIM from your previous iPhone to your new iPhone after configuration

1. On your new iPhone, go to settings> Cellular network> Add a cell package.
2. Choose a cell plan to be transferred from another device. If you do not see a list of numbers, touch “Transfer from another device”. The two devices must have iOS 16 or later version.
3. Look if there are instructions on your old iPhone to confirm the transfer. To confirm, touch “Transfer” or, if you are asked for a verification code, enter the code that appears on your new iPhone.
4. Wait until the cell package is activated on your new iPhone. Your old SIM card is disabled when activating the cell package on your new iPhone.
5. If the banner finish the configuration of the cell package is displayed on your new iPhone, touch it. You are then redirected to the web page of your service provider to transfer your ESIM card. If you need help, contact your operator.

Convert a physical sim to an esim on the same iPhone

You can convert a physical SIM to an ESIM on the same iPhone if your operator does not support this option. Proceed as follows:

1. On your iPhone, access settings> Cellular network.
2. Touch Convert to Esim.
   If you do not see “converting ESIM”, that means that your operator does not support this option. Contact your operator to transfer your phone number from your physical SIM to an ESIM through the operator activation system or through the scanning of the QR code.
3. Touch Convert the cell package.
4. Touch Convert to Esim.
5. Wait for activation of your ESIM card. Your old SIM card is disabled from the moment the cell package is activated on your iPhone.
6. Remove the physical sim card from your iPhone. Then restart your iPhone.

Blit a QR code or use the operator’s app

If your operator does not support ESIM activation or ESIM rapid transfer, you can scan the QR code provided by your operator instead.

To activate your ESIM during the configuration of your iPhone:

1. On the “Configure the device” screen, touch “Use a QR code”.
2. Follow the instructions on the screen.

To activate ESM once you have configured your iPhone, contact your operator to get a QR code. Then follow the following steps:

1. Open the camera app and scan your QR code.
2. Touch the detected cellular package notification when it is displayed.
3. Touch continue at the bottom of the screen.
4. Touch Add a cell package.

If a confirmation code is requested to activate ESIM, enter the number provided by your operator.

If your operator supports ESIM activation by application, download your operator’s app in the App Store and follow the instructions.

Sasm information from ESM manually if necessary

1. Contact your operator to get the ESIM details you need to enter.
2. Access adjustments.
3. Touch cell network or mobile data.
4. Touch Add a cell package.
5. Tap “enter information manually” at the bottom of your iPhone screen.

Learn more

• If you cannot configure an esim.
• If necessary, erase your esim.
• Learn more about the use of the double SIM card with ESIM.
• Find mobile operators and world service providers offering an ESIM service.
• Use an ESIM during a trip abroad with your iPhone.

About the ESIM of the iPhone

Find out what an ESIM is, how to configure an esim on your iPhone and how to convert a physical sim card to esim.

What is the ESIM of the iPhone ?

An ESIM is a standard digital SIM card that allows you to activate a mobile package with your operator without having to use a physical SIM card. You can install eight esim or more on an iPhone and use two phone numbers at the same time.

Required elements

• iPhone XS, iPhone XS max or iPhone XR or subsequent model
• A mobile operator or a world service provider that supports ESIM
• Your new iPhone must be connected to a Wi-Fi network*.

ESIM on iPhone is not offered in continental China. In Hong Kong and Macao, some iPhone models are equipped with an ESIM. Find out how to use the double SIM with two nano-Sim cards in continental China, Hong Kong and Macao. Many world service providers offer prepaid data packages for travelers visiting continental China who wish to use an ESIM.

* IPhone models 14 100 % ESIM can be activated without Wi-Fi network.

How to configure an ESIM on the iPhone

To configure your ESIM, it is usually enough to turn on your new iPhone and follow the instructions that appear on the screen.

You can activate your ESIM during the configuration of your iPhone if your operator supports the ESIM Carrier Activation features (activation of ESIM by the operator) or ESIM Quick Transfer (Quick transfer of ESIM). Thanks to the ESIM Carrier Activation functionality (activation of ESIM by the operator), your operator attributes an ESIM to your iPhone when you buy it. As for the ESIM Quick Transfer functionality (rapid transfer of ESIM), it allows you to transfer the SIM card from your old iPhone to your new iPhone without contacting your operator. Whatever the method, turn on your iPhone and follow the instructions to activate your ESIM during the configuration.

You can also add or transfer an ESIM later using these options. If these options are not available, contact your operator to activate your ESIM using a QR code or the iPhone application of your operator.

If you have bought an iPhone 14 model in the United States, your iPhone is activated with an ESIM. To activate your ESIM using ESIM Carrier Activation (Activation of ESIM by the operator), ESIM Quick Transfer (rapid transfer of ESM) or other activation method, turn on your iPhone and follow the instructions.

Use ESIM Carrier Activation (Activation of ESIM by the operator) on the iPhone

Some world operators and service providers can assign a new ESIM to your iPhone, which facilitates configuration. This is usually the case when you buy an iPhone connected to an operator from Apple in the United States or an operator and provide details of your mobile package. If an ESIM has been attributed to your iPhone when you bought it, turn on your iPhone and follow the instructions to activate your ESIM.

If you change your phone (Android, for example) for an iPhone, contact your operator to transfer your phone number to your iPhone via the ESIM Carrier Activation functionality (ESIM activation by the operator) or by scanning a QR code of your operator.

If you have contacted your operator to obtain an ESIM after configuring your iPhone, and it has configured the ESIM Carrier Activation functionality (activation of ESIM by the operator), proceed as follows:

1. Touch the notification “Cellular package ready to be installed” when it is displayed.
2. In the adjustment app, touch “Cellular package ready to be installed”.
3. Touch continue at the bottom of the screen.
4. Make a call on your iPhone to check its mobile connectivity. If you cannot make a call, contact your operator.
5. If the package you have activated replaces the package of your physical sim card, remove it. Then restart your iPhone.

Use the ESIM Quick Transfer functionality (rapid transfer of ESM) on the iPhone

Some operators support the SIM card transfers from your old iPhone to your new iPhone without you needing to contact them. You can also convert your current physical sim card to ESIM.

If you do not have access to your current iPhone, contact your operator to transfer your ESIM.

During the configuration of your iPhone, if you are invited to transfer your SIM card, follow the instructions on the screen to transfer your physical SIM card or your ESIM. If you need to transfer more than one SIM card to your new iPhone, transfer your other SIM cards following the steps below.

Transfer a physical SIM card or ESIM from your old iPhone to an ESIM card on your new iPhone after configuration

1. On your new iPhone, go to settings> Cellular data> Add a cell package.
2. Choose a cell package to be transferred from another iPhone. If you do not see a number of numbers, touch Transfer from Another iPhone (transfer from another iPhone). iOS 16 or a later version should be installed on both devices.
3. Check the instructions on your old iPhone to confirm the transfer. To confirm, touch transfer or, if you are invited to provide a validation code, enter the code that appears on your new iPhone.
4. Wait for the mobile plan to activate your new iPhone. Your old SIM card is disabled when activating the mobile package of your new iPhone.
5. If a banner is displayed on your new iPhone and indicates “finish the configuration of the cell package [name of your operator]”, touch it. You are then redirected to your operator’s web page to transfer your ESIM. If you need help, contact your operator.

Convert a physical sim card into esim on the same iPhone

You can convert a physical SIM card to ESIM on the same iPhone, if your operator supports this option. Proceed as follows:

1. On your iPhone, access settings> Cellular data.
2. Touch Convert to Esim.
   If converting ESIM does not appear, your operator does not support this option. Contact your operator to transfer the phone number from your physical sim card to an ESIM using the ESIM Carrier Activation functionality (activation of ESIM by the operator) or by scanning a QR code.
3. Touch Convert the cell package.
4. Touch Convert to Esim.
5. Wait until your ESIM card activates. Your old SIM card is deactivated at the time of activating the mobile package of your iPhone.
6. Remove the physical sim card from your iPhone. Then restart your iPhone.

Scan a QR code or use an operator app

If your operator does not support ESIM Carrier Activation (activation of ESM by the operator) or ESIM Quick Transfer (Quick transfer of ESIM), you can scan a QR code provided by your operator.

To activate your ESIM when configuring your iPhone:

1. When you arrive on the configure cell data screen, touch Use a QR code.
2. Follow the instructions on the screen.

To activate your ESIM after configuring your iPhone, contact your operator to get a QR code. Then proceed as follows:

1. Open the camera app and scan your QR code.
2. Touch the “Cellular Package detected” notification when it is displayed.
3. Touch continue at the bottom of the screen.
4. Touch Add a cell package.

If a confirmation code is requested to activate the ESIM card, enter the number provided by your operator.

If your operator supports ESIM activation using an application, download your operator’s app on the App Store and follow the instructions.

Manually enter ESIM information if necessary

1. Contact your operator to get the ESM details that you need to enter.
2. Access adjustments.
3. Touch cell or mobile data.
4. Touch Add a cell package.
5. Tap “enter information manually” at the bottom of your iPhone screen.

Additional Information

• If you cannot configure an esim.
• If necessary, erase your esim.
• Find out how to use the double sim with an esim.
• Find mobile operators and global service providers who offer ESIM service.
• Use an ESIM when you travel abroad with your iPhone.